How to Get the Musty Smell Out of Cardboard Boxes
A musty smell from stored cardboard boxes comes from the cardboard absorbing humidity in a basement or attic, often growing mildew. Cardboard is a sponge for moisture. Move your things into sealed plastic bins, dry the contents out, and control the humidity, and the smell goes.
We make small-batch beeswax candles in Far Rockaway, so a room that truly smells clean is our whole focus, and that always starts at the source rather than the scent. Below is where the smell comes from, how to clear it step by step, and how to keep the space fresh afterward, with the full the MBur beeswax candle collection here as you read.
Why cardboard goes musty
Cardboard is porous, so it pulls in moisture from damp storage, and mildew grows on and in it. The smell then soaks into whatever is stored inside.
Because the cardboard itself holds the moisture and mildew, it cannot really be deodorized, as the EPA's household mold guide comes down to controlling the moisture that feeds it. The box is best replaced.
How to fix it, step by step
- Move items out of the cardboard. Take your belongings out of the musty boxes, since the cardboard is the source and cannot be saved.
- Air and clean the contents. Air the items out, wash or wipe what is washable, launder musty fabric, and air books and papers with absorbers.
- Switch to sealed plastic bins. Repack in airtight plastic totes, which do not absorb moisture or smell and keep pests out.
- Add absorbers. Drop silica gel packs or a moisture absorber into bins stored in damp areas.
- Fix the storage humidity. A dehumidifier or better ventilation in the basement or attic keeps it from recurring.
Plastic totes solve this for good. Unlike cardboard, they do not soak up basement humidity, so the musty smell has nothing to grow in.
Keep it from coming back
Store things in sealed plastic rather than cardboard in any damp area, and keep bins up off a concrete floor on a shelf or pallet.
Control the humidity in the space, and check stored items periodically.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With the musty boxes handled, the air itself is the last step. A clean candle is the finishing touch here, best lit once the space is already clean. From there it is the fastest way to make the room read fresh rather than merely neutral.
For your home, Touch Grass fits well. It is earthy and green, with fig, black currant, and cedarwood, and like every MBur candle it is poured from 100% beeswax with a wooden wick and phthalate-free non-toxic fragrance oils, so freshening the air never means adding soot on top.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get the musty smell out of cardboard boxes?
You usually cannot fully deodorize cardboard, since it holds the moisture and mildew. Move your items into sealed plastic bins and air the contents out.
Why do my storage boxes smell musty?
Cardboard absorbs humidity in basements and attics and grows mildew. The smell soaks into whatever is stored inside.
Are plastic bins better than cardboard for storage?
Yes, in damp areas. Plastic does not absorb moisture or odor and keeps out pests, so it avoids the musty problem entirely.
How do I keep stored items from smelling?
Use sealed plastic bins, add moisture absorbers, keep bins off the floor, and control humidity with a dehumidifier if needed.
Ready to keep your space smelling clean once the source is handled? Explore the MBur beeswax candle collection and find the scent that fits the room.
Shop our candles
